Academic Faculty Director - Dental Assisting

Pima Community College; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 63,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ, invites applications for the Dental Assisting Academic Faculty Director. This full-time role combines teaching, leadership, and administration to guide the accredited one-year certificate program.

The position emphasizes CODA compliance, curriculum oversight, budget management, and collaboration with health programs at the Center of Excellence. Teaching may occur in person, online, hybrid, or web-enhanced formats.

Qualifications

• Must hold at least one active credential: CDA or licensed dentist in AZ.
• Must have 2 years’ experience as a dental assistant with four-handed dentistry.
• Must have a baccalaureate degree or higher.
• CPR-BLS certification through AHA.

Responsibilities

• Lead program budget and ensure strategic resource allocation.
• Direct curriculum development, evaluation, and coordination to maintain standards.
• Oversee scheduling and facilities, labs, and equipment.
• Ensure CODA accreditation compliance with documentation.
• Set admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
• Teach across modalities (in-person, online, hybrid).

Skills

Teaching across modalities

Curriculum development

Budget management

CODA compliance

Interprofessional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

CPR-BLS certification

Tools

D2L

Job description

We\'re excited you are considering a position with us. We welcome and celebrate the expansive experiences and contributions that all members of our campus community bring to the table, whether shaped by career history, academic study, or community engagement.

We\'re committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. For more information about working at Pima Community College, visit the Pima Careers page .

All employees are expected to live and work within the state of Arizona as a condition of employment. All selected candidates are subject to a successful completion of a background check.

The data we collect during the application process is used to evaluate your qualifications for the role you\'re applying for. All data is handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy.

Position Summary

Salary: $62,819-$96,479 (based on education and experience)

Plus an additional 10% Allied Health Salary Adjustment to be added
Plus an additional $10K Department Head Responsibilities Adjustment to be added

Please note, this position will be in person, to be located in the Pima County/Tucson area.

About The Position

The position is available beginning the 2026-2027 academic year as a twelve-month contract. Faculty teach and work a set schedule over a twelve-month academic year, July- June, that could include day, evening, and weekend duties.

The Dental Assisting Academic Faculty Director provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and instruction for the college\'s accredited one-year Certificate program. Located in the state-of-the-art Center of Excellence in Health Professions at Pima\'s West Campus, this full-time administrator ensures compliance with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) while managing budgets, curriculum, and faculty. Additionally, the Director spearheads interprofessional collaboration with other health profession programs at the Center of Excellence to model an integrated, modern healthcare learning environment.

The Academic Faculty Director leads a 29.5-credit cohort program that integrates in-person lectures, lab training, and clinical rotations. In this role, the Director empowers entry-level students with the experiential, collaborative learning needed to launch successful careers in private dental offices, clinics, and public health centers. This full-time position combines teaching, leadership, and administrative responsibilities. Please note that the academic faculty director model is subject to review and may change in two years.

Faculty may be asked to teach in person, online, hybrid, and virtual learning environments. Divisions may employ emerging approaches such as fast-track, IBEST, and dual enrollment as appropriate. Course scheduling may include daytime, evenings, and/or weekends.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Program Leadership & Administration
• Develop and manage the program budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.
• Direct curriculum development, evaluation, and coordination to maintain high academic standards.
• Oversee the scheduling and utilization of program facilities, labs, and equipment.
• Lead all aspects of CODA accreditation compliance, including the timely preparation and maintenance of required documentation.
• Establish and refine student admission criteria and enrollment procedures.

• Faculty Management & Supervision
• Recruit, select, and recommend qualified candidates for faculty appointments, tenure, and promotions.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate faculty performance to foster professional growth and instructional excellence.
• Determine and assign faculty teaching schedules, workloads, and course allocations.

• Instruction & Student Success
• Teach an instructional load per semester to support students.
• Evaluate and assess student performance objectively through diverse testing and grading methodologies.
• Provide proactive academic advising and career mentorship to students.

• Collaboration & Community Engagement
• Cultivate and maintain strategic community partnerships to expand educational and clinical opportunities for students.
• Convene and collaborate with a Program Advisory Committee to align training with current industry trends.
• Represent the department or campus effectively on college-wide committees and task forces.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, discipline groups, and institutional initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and collegial environment when communicating with faculty, staff, and students.

Job Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum qualifications required for faculty positions are governed by our Faculty Qualification Standards. This position is in an Occupational/Workforce discipline and requires the following to obtain Pima Community College teaching certification:

• Must hold at least one of the following active credentials:
• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA): Current certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or
• Licensed Dentist: A dentist licensed to practice in Arizona.
• Must have 2 years’ experience as a dental assistant with direct, proven occupational experience applying the principles of four-handed dentistry.
• Must have a baccalaureate degree or higher.
• Be currently CPR-BLS, certified through The American Heart Association.

The selected candidate will:

• Work a flexible schedule including afternoons and evenings as needed to meet student demand
• Teach in multiple modalities, including in-person, online, and hybrid

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

The College places a premium on candidates who are open to new approaches and professional growth. We recognize that our faculty body is strengthened by a cross-sectional breadth of experience.

• Ability to teach a broad range of courses in Dental Assisting
• Ability to adapt and modify instruction based on the student instructional needs and learning styles, including working with accommodations and accessibility
• Knowledge of appropriate and effective use of assessment information to improve instruction
• Evaluation of students\' educational progress: ability to maintain high instruction and learning standards and assess students\' academic progress in meeting course objectives and student learning outcomes
• Teaching in multiple modalities such as online, web-enhanced, and D2L courses: knowledge of curriculum development, course design, and delivery
• Knowledge of the resources available to students to assist them with academic and personal challenges, and ability to help students access those resources, skilled in providing academic advising
• Competencies in multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusivity: knowledge of diverse community college student populations and the ability to address diversity in effective instructional practice and student learning
• Knowledge and appreciation for the Community College mission

Directions For Applying And Other Important Information

Degrees and courses qualifying for Pima Community College teaching certification must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants currently in progress for a degree or additional coursework to meet the minimum qualifications must have the degree conferred and/or coursework completed by May 2026.

All required documents

• Resume. This should be up to date and account for and describe all gaps in employment.
• Letter of interest or cover letter. This is a description of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience related to the duties and responsibilities of the position, as well as the strengths you would bring to the assignment. The letter should not exceed two (2) pages.
• Teaching Philosophy Statement: In one page or less, please share your experience working with student populations typically served by Pima Community College and indicate how that informs your teaching practice and/or philosophy.
• Unofficial copies of transcripts. These must be:
• for all post-secondary degrees you have listed in your application
• legible (front and back) and show the name of the regionally accredited institution, the degree conferred, and the page(s) explaining the institution\'s grading system
• attached to the application even if they have been submitted in the past

The selected candidate(s) must provide Faculty Qualifications & Hiring with official (unopened) transcripts and/or official (unopened) foreign transcript evaluation.

Selection Process

The selection process typically consists of one or two advisory group interview(s), a teaching demonstration, and an administrative interview.

Candidates invited to the interview process will be chosen from those who most closely meet the stated requirements. Meeting these qualifications does not guarantee an interview.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or to request a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, please contact [e-mail] . Office hours are normally Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

If you require assistance, or a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, please do not hesitate to contact Pima Community College Human Resources.

Equal Opportunity

Pima Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.